Homily: October 17 - St. Ignatius of Antioch - "Doctor of Unity"

In the year 70, just 35 years or so after the death and Resurrection of our Savior, Ignatius was made the third bishop of Antioch which today is located in Turkey.  Antioch, as we know from the Acts of the Apostles, was a flourishing Christian community.  Its first Bishop was the Apostle Peter, before he was Bishop of Rome, and it was there that the disciples were “for the first time called Christians”. 

After serving in Antioch for over 35 years, Ignatius was arrested during the persecution of Trajan and sentenced to death in Rome.

The Church historian Eusebius of Caesarea wrote that “Ignatius was sent from Syria to Rome and became food for wild beasts on account of his testimony to Christ.  And as he made the journey through Asia under the strictest military surveillance, he fortified the parishes in the various cities where he delivered homilies and exhortations and warned them above all to be especially on guard against the heresies that were then beginning to prevail and exhorted them to hold fast to the tradition of the Apostles.” 

I love reading the letters of Ignatius.  His letters used to be read during the Mass alongside of the Scriptures.  No Church Father has expressed the longing for union with Christ and for life in him with the intensity of Ignatius.  In his letters he implored the Christians not to try and free him from captivity and prevent his martyrdom because he so desired to imitate the Lord.  Ignatius wrote to the Romans: “It is better for me to die on behalf of Jesus Christ than to reign over all the ends of the earth…Him I seek, who died for us: him I desire, who rose again for our sake…Permit me to be an imitator of the Passion of my God!”

Pope Benedict called Ignatius a “Doctor of Unity” for Ignatius also urged the Churches to find unity under the direction of the Bishop.  He extolled the priests in Ephesus for being fitted to their Bishop as the strings are to the harp.  He urged priests and Deacons and all people to Labor together with their Bishop; strive in company together; run together; suffer together; wake together as the stewards and associates and servants of God.

As Doctor of Unity Ignatius teaches us to seek union with God through union with Christ through Union with his Holy Church.  May Saint Ignatius’ prayers and example help us to attain such unity and to purified by our love for God and charity towards all for the glory of God and salvation of souls.